“I THOUGHT it was just going to be like a normal library where you aren’t allowed to speak.

“I THOUGHT it was just going to be like a normal library where you aren’t allowed to speak. But it’s massive and has secret shelves!”

That was the reaction of 10-year-old Ahmed Ahmed to Cardiff’s new Central Library.

The Lansdowne Primary School pupil from Canton, Cardiff, and classmates Abigail Birkett and Bilal Abdi , also 10, became the first three people to join the new £15m library at a special preview event yesterday.

After signing up they were shown to the first floor, which is a dedicated children’s area complete with secret shelves packed with books and toys and a special storytelling area.

“It’s very nice, really spacious and not what I was expecting,” said Abigail who, with Bilal, Ahmed and a group of other children, listened to tall tales told by professional storyteller Dr Pat Ryan.

“I love the Mr Gum books and will be borrowing plenty from here,” added Abigail.

Bilal, who had his head buried in a book on football, told the Echo he would also be making good use of the computer facilities in the library, which boasts 96 public-access PCs with free internet connection.

And that is exactly how Cardiff Council wants the public to use its new flagship facility.

“There’s a lot more to it than just books,” said council leader Rodney Berman.

“We have listening booths for music and people can even play on a white grand piano. I don’t think you necessarily find that in every library.

“This is more than just about providing a facility for the people of Cardiff, it’s providing something that is an attraction.”

Councillor Berman said officials looked at libraries across the UK and Europe, including in Amsterdam and Nijmegen in the Netherlands, and “borrowed” the best ideas, while also coming up with some of their own.

The library, built in the heart of the city centre where The Hayes and Mill Lane meet, has study spaces, reading areas and four special visual needs pods, which include a CCTV magnifier, which helps the visually impaired to read books.

Users will also be able to check out their own books using self-issue machines on every floor. And, when they bring them back, they will not be handing them in at the desk, but putting them in an automated book sorter on the ground floor.

The library has been built for Cardiff Council by the St David’s Partnership, a collaboration between developers Land Securities and Capital Shopping Centres, as part of the £675m St David’s 2 scheme.

The former Central Library in St David’s Link, Hills Street, was demolished in 2006 to make way for the new development.

Books have been housed in the temporary library, off Bute Street, since then.

“The St David’s Partnership is proud to be delivering such an iconic building that not only provides a fantastic state-of-the-art public resource, but is also one of the most eco-friendly buildings in South Wales,” said Andrew Dudley, project director for St David’s 2.

“It’s absolutely fantastic,” added Coun Berman.

“When you follow a project like this, from the initial concept to the final realisation, you are never really sure if it will hit that expectation. But this library exceeds expectations.

“This is a building of which the people of Cardiff can be truly proud.

“I believe Cardiff is getting the best new library building in the UK and, as well as a traditional library facility, this will be an exciting landmark destination for people to meet in.”

Coun Nigel Howells, executive member for sport, leisure and culture, said: “As well as helping people to access technology that they might not necessarily be able to do at home, the library will offer a huge range of services and it is fantastic to be able to dedicate a whole floor to the Welsh department and local studies.”

The ground floor will also have a base for the C2C (Connect to Cardiff) team, which provides information on council services.

Residents will be able to drop in and seek advice about everything from waste collections to free school meals and bus passes.